There were fewer fish this year, but that didn’t stop people from smiling.
Over 1,700 people registered for the 49th edition of the Port Alberni Salmon Festival and Derby, which took place this weekend.
Although lots of smiles came back to the dock, there weren’t as many fish as in previous years.
“The fishing’s been pretty bad, probably the worst we’ve ever had in the derby before,” said Mark Luchinski from New Westminster.
Other contestants came from as far as Alberta but there were few complaints considering until a few weeks ago the 49th edition of the salmon derby was at risk of being cancelled due to COVID-19.
But local tyee club and retailer Gone Fishin’ stepped up to host the annual fishing competition, minus the normal festival activities.
“The fishing was not spectacular but the weather cooperated and the turnout was awesome and it seemed like everyone was having a good time,” said Al Ehrenberg, derby organizer and owner of Gone Fishin’.
The winner was Port Alberni’s Adam Dombrowski, who caught a chinook on Saturday weighing in at 33.4 pounds. He won $5,000 for winning Saturday and won another $5,000 for winning the entire derby.
Organizers say after other prize payouts, they’ll be able to donate about $40,000 to local groups for salmon enhancement.
“That’s what this is really all about,” added Ehrenberg. “It’s giving back and letting people have a good time and still making a contribution.”
Dean Stoltz
